- Brushing teeth at night protects teeth more than brushing in the morning
- Saliva decreases at night, increasing risk of plaque and bacterial growth
- Not brushing at night can cause cavities, gum disease, and bad breath
Even though many can't be bothered to brush their teeth at night because they had a long, tough day, the truth is that just brushing once could create a lot of problems for both your teeth and overall health. Brushing when you wake up helps you have fresh breath all day long and stay clean for the entire day. But brushing just before going to sleep will help protect your teeth much more than brushing in the morning.
Why Your Mouth Is the Most at-Risk Place (for Infection) While You Sleep
What most individuals do not realize is that at night time is when your oral cavity has its greatest level of vulnerability due to decreased levels of saliva and many hours of inactivity. With just a small amount of residual food or bacteria remaining in your mouth at night, it can cause significant harm over time. Hence, dentists emphasize the importance of your evening routine and point out that your evening routine is more important to your oral health than the morning one. If you miss brushing your teeth and performing your evening routine just one time, this may seem innocent enough; however, once you develop a habit, the repercussions can add up quicker than you anticipate.
How Plaque and Bacteria Build Up Overnight
Food particles, sugar and bacteria are continually creating a layer of debris throughout your mouth during the course of the day. If they aren't cleaned off before going to bed, these materials will remain on your teeth and gums for hours while you sleep. Saliva production decreases during the night, which reduces one of the body's natural defenses against harmful bacteria within the mouth. The combination of these two factors creates an ideal environment for plaque to form and for acid to attack tooth enamel, which can lead to dental cavities and gum disease.
The consequences of not brushing your teeth at night:
Poor oral hygiene creates an environment for bacteria to thrive, leading to the development of cavities, tooth decay, gum disease and halitosis (bad breath). Plaque that develops on teeth can become very thick over time, turning into tartar which is much more difficult for you to remove without the help of your dentist or hygienist. Poor oral hygiene can lead to serious health issues because the bacteria in your mouth can enter the bloodstream and cause other types of infections.
Essential Daily Routine, Huge Impact
By brushing at night before bed, you remove the bacteria and buildup of the day which allows your teeth to rejuvenate while you sleep. It takes just a few minutes to complete, but it can result in huge gains. Flossing in addition to brushing at night may also improve your oral hygiene by cleaning areas of your mouth that your toothbrush cannot reach. Incorporating a consistent and regular nighttime routine of brushing will provide you with numerous benefits to help keep your mouth healthy and your smile beautiful for many years to come.
Building Nighttime Routines that Aren't Limited to Just Brushing Teeth
An effective oral hygiene regimen doesn't consist of just brushing your teeth before bed. You can add to your oral hygiene routine by using an antibacterial mouthwash or cleaning your tongue, both of which can lower the number of bacteria in your mouth. By making these small changes in your nightly dental care routine, you can significantly reduce the accumulation of plaque, maximize freshness and keep your teeth healthy for the entire night while you are sleeping when there is a high risk of bacterial growth in your mouth.
Consistency Is the Key to Long-Term Oral Health
Maintaining your oral hygiene during the night is critical to influencing your future health. Although missing a night can easily go unnoticed, depending on how often you miss a night, it can eventually lead to significant damage over time. Building a habit of brushing twice per day and flossing every night can help reduce the cost of dental visits and maintain good oral hygienic habits over the course of your lifetime.
(By Dr. Harsh Pathak, Consultant - Dental and Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Manipal Hospital, Bhubaneshwar)
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